8/10/2014 South Cle Elum Ridge Fire Update

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  300 acre estimate Cause:  unknown Structures Destroyed:  0 Closures:  Closure Area for Taneum Creek on Cle Elum Ranger District, Campfire Ban                   Containment:  0%

RESOURCES Crews: 1  Engines: 18 Dozers: 2 Water Tenders: 3 Helicopters: 1 Total personnel:  127 Injuries: 0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Situation: Firefighters continue to be successful in keeping the fire south of South Cle Elum Ridge and west of forest road 114. The fire has not significantly grown and is approximately 300 acres in size. Today firefighters continue to construct and strengthen indirect and contingency lines around the fire. Some areas are still unsafe for firefighters due to standing dead and burned trees. More crews have been ordered and are expected to arrive throughout the day. Helicopters and air tankers will continue to support firefighters on the ground as needed.

Evacuation Information: No change in evacuation levels. There continues to be a Level I evacuation for the 15 homes over a mile away from the fire on the Woods and Steele Road. 

 

Forest Closures: For public and firefighter safety the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued an Area Closure in the Taneum Creek Area. Road blocks are in place on Forest Road 4510 (Woods and Steele Road), junction of Forest Roads 3352 and 119 (Five Corners) and Forest Road 3300 at the Bridge across the South Fork Taneum Creek.

Due to very high fire danger a campfire ban has been in place on the Okanogan-Wentachee National Forest since July 18^th. Yesterday evening an engine working on the South Cle Elum Ridge Fire was asked to respond to an escaped abandoned campfire on the Cle Elum Ranger Distirct. It is extremely important that forest visitors and campers continue to cooperate and support local firefighting efforts by having no campfires.

Weather Outlook: Winds will generally be light and terrain driven winds through Sunday morning then switch to the east and persist until Tuesday afternoon. There is a slight chance for dry thunderstorms Monday night with the chance increasing for Tuesday and Wednesday.

   

For area closure information contact: Cle Elum Ranger District: 509.852.1100 Monday through Friday 8-4:30pm.

 

Cooperating Agencies: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Kittitas County Fire Districts 7 and 1, and Kittitas County Sheriff's Office.